Heads of Chemical Engineering UK

Heads of Chemical Engineering UK (HCEUK) is an independent body established in 2015 to facilitate channels of communication between key chemical engineering stakeholder groups across universities and higher education establishments to further the interests of chemical engineering in higher education teaching and research.

Working closely with IChemE, in particular the Education Special Interest Group and Research and Innovation Community of Practice, HCEUK has over 30 members including heads of chemical engineering schools, departments and divisions at universities, as well as those representing the interests of those engaged in chemical engineering education, scholarships and research.

HCEUK meets four times a year – three virtual meetings and one in person meeting which takes place ahead of the annual ChemEngDayUK conference. ChemEngDayUK is a two-day conference hosted by a member university of HCEUK, usually taking place between late March and early April each year. The event aims to brings together students, researchers, educators, and industrialists to showcase the latest in chemical engineering research, innovation, and technology through a combination of distinguished plenary speakers and presentations from academics, research staff and students from across UK universities and industry. ChemEngDayUK enables new opportunities for collaboration to be established, whilst providing a platform for industries to build relationships with universities and across sectors.

The current Chair of HCEUK is Professor Chris Dodds, Head of Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham. The Chairperson is elected from the HCEUK Standing Committee by HCEUK members for a period of two years. The Chairperson may be elected to serve a second two-year term, with the period of office commencing and ending immediately after ChemEngDayUK.

HCEUK's objectives

HCEUK has five main objectives:

To represent and inform its membership on matters affecting the education of students, research, and other forms of scholarly and professional activity and to encourage and facilitate the exchange of experience and of good practice.
To inform and influence directly or in alliance with other organisations, government, and its agencies such as the research councils and other funding bodies which may have an impact upon chemical engineering in higher education.
To maintain contact with industry representatives to discuss graduate skills, curriculum and agree mutual support between universities and industry.
To further the interests of chemical engineering in higher education in the broadest sense.
To support Heads of Chemical Engineering departments in their responsibilities to lead the discipline in their institutions and at local, national and international levels, for example through mentoring, networking, collation of information relevant to national and international situations.

HCEUK's current member universities

University of Aberdeen
Aston University
University of Bath
University of Birmingham
University of Bradford
Brunel University
University of Cambridge
University of Chester
University of Edinburgh
University of Greenwich
Herriot watt University
University of Huddersfield
University of Hull
Imperial college London
Lancaster University
University of Leeds
University College London (Biochemical Engineering)
University College London (Chemical Engineering)
London South Bank University
Loughborough University
University of Manchester
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
Queen’s University Belfast
University of Sheffield
University of Strathclyde
Swansea University
University of Surrey
Teesside University
University of Wolverhampton